Combined doffer and donning mechanism



May 15, 1928.

H. C. MILLER COMBINED DOFFER AND DONNING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 12, 1922 r l l W 07 W 4 6 H m 6 U a 5 8 6 i2 w m o w w 4/ l J W W 6 MW w w z 6a 6 El WM 0 lo I w w z J L 3% I w a aw m W @W a 8 w W a 4 4 Z] wuc-v l kw Hen my C Mil/er @or new May 15, 1928. 1,669,769

H. c. MILLER COMBINED DOFFER AND DONNING MECHANISM Jn wwtm, Henry C M/Y/er May 15, 1928.

H. C. MILLER COMBINED DOFFER AND DONNING MECHANISM Filed June 12, 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 IHIIII;IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 i :Lw T J 7 1 Ely/47 Hemy C Ml/ler' M 6H0: x nu May 15, 1928.

H. c. MILLER COMBINED DOFFER AND DONNING MECHANISM Filed June 12, 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 nllHHIIHIWHIHHHIHIHHHHWFTIMUMM May 15, 1928.

1,669,769 H. C. MILLER COMBINED DOFFER AND DONNING MECHANISM Filed June 12, 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet grwenloz fie/72y G /i////r I May 15, 1928.

H. C. MILLER COMBINED DOFFER AND DONNING MECHANISM lrlllllllll E k May 15, 1928.

H. C. MILLER COMBINED DOFFER AND DONNING MECHANISM Filed June 12, 192 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 m m w 5.6 m6 3 W 8 a! w a 7 W 6 7 6 J 6 7 Wu: w 6 W 3 J J a W semi-portable in UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY c. MILLER, or WATERFORD, NEW YORK.

COMBINED DOFFEB.AND DONNIN G -MECHANISM.

Application filed June 12, 1922. Serial No. 567,586.

This invention relates apparatus, wherein dotfer mechanism there is and a donning mechanism to a portable combined a for the removal of filled bobbins from and the replacement of empty bobbins on the spindles of a spinning machine.

Mechanical doffers and heretofore proposed with spinning machines, ly proven of marily, adapted to ning frame and donners have been for use in connection but such have usuallittle commercial value, priin some instances, because they were be attached directly to the spinhence not only costly but necessarily added parts to the spinning frame which were difiicult to keep free from lint or dirt with consequent slubs andoily spots 1n the spun thread; or such devices were independent movement to the spinning frame,

that they were mounted for on parts connected with the additional expense of installation; or such other devices which are adapted to take ofi one filled bobbin and put on one empty cycle of a crank which together necessity of carrying same ning frame requir d after each,

and donning too slow value.

bobbin at each with the from one spinto another and adjustments rendered the dotting to be of commercial It is therefore the primary object of the present invention combining in a mechanism and apparatus is entirely and able, in that it is without with mechanism each adapted to remove and apply a number unitary structure a a donning mechan sm, which completely portto provide an apparatus any connection the frame of the spinning machine, with the dofi'er mechanism and donning simultaneously of bobbins, to complete portapparatus, the

s whatsoever to and to provide, handling of a plurality of bobbins, a speed of operation not possible through type of apparatus.

any heretofore known The improved apparatus further involves such a combinative and relative action and position of the doffer mechanism and donning mechanism that in the doiiing operation avoi the dofier mechanism ds undue strain through bobbins, and then supports the doffedbobbins so that the empty bobbins when supplied to the spindles] from the donning mechanism will act to confine the suppl thread on the spindles and thus permit sucli thread between the spindle and dofl'ed bobbins to be broken or cut as the apparatus is moved to the next set of spindles with which it is to cooperate i The apparatus as a Whole is conveniently mounted on wheels to permit its movement lengthwise the spinning frame forsuccessive cooperation with the spindles, and when in operative relation to the spinning frame, is designed to be positioned against the guide bar common to spinning machines, and which is arranged below the spindles. In order that the apparatus may in its successive movements be constantly held against this guide bar, the wheels on which the apparatus is mounted, are set at such an angle as to continually guide the apparatus toward the cooperation with successive spindles will,

the wheel inclination, maintain continual contact between said apparatus and the guide bar. p

The dofiing mechanism of the present apparatus is designed to simultaneously remove a plurality of filled bobbins, and includes a series of bobbin grippers, which are mechanically raised to a position above and brought into accurate registry withthe respective bobbins to be removed, the grippers being thereupon actuated, each under its own automatically compensating tension, to effectively grip the filled bobbins. The dotting mechanism is then reversed to raise the filled bobbins free of the spindles, and such mechanism then automatically moves the removed bobbins to a position wholly beyond the spindles, maintaining them in this position without having severed the supply threads.

The drawing shows the doffer in operation on a ring spinning frame; it is understood that the last operation when the bobbins are tilled is to cause three or more turns to be made around the cone shaped part on the bottom of the bobbin by a well known operation of the spinning :trame, so that when bobbins are taken off of the spindles. the thread is drawn from the cone shaped part and the turns of thread are transferred to the spindles, the said operation also gives slack to the threads so that they are not broken when the bobbins leave the spindles and the grippers are at their lowest position, as the different bobbin threads will not be all in the back part and away from the dotter, provision must be made to push them out of the way of the grippers reach no matter where the threads may be; I provide a thread guard to push the threads down and to the rear of the spindles.

I show a modification of the thread guard: in the preferred one. the thread simply guarded and threads are broken between the gripped bobbins and the spindles after the donning of the empty spindles when the doti'er is moved to the next position; in the modification I provide a series of shears, one for each thread simultaneously operated which are fastened to the thread guard before the dofi'er is moved to the next position.

The donning mechanism includes a magagine for receiving empty bobbins in sutiicient number to take care of anumber of successive operations of the apparatus as a whole, and a receiver frame operative beneath the magazine and having a number of receivers corresponding to the number of empty bobbins to be simultaneously applied to the spindles in a single operation of the apparatus. A separator is arranged to control the delivery of a single bobbin from each compartment of the magazine to the underlying cradle, and the cradle frame as a whole is then released for swinging to a substantially vertical position. a temporary bobbin holding means preventing accidental displacement oi the bobbins from the receivers during this movement. The cradle frame is then positioned to align with the empty spindles, through appropriate guides, and lowered for a short distance to place the bobbins upon the upper ends of the spindles. The bobbins are then simultaneously released from the cradles and gravitate to proper positions on the spindles.

The magazine for empty bobbins is preferably made in two or more parts, adapted to be hinged or otherwise held together when filled: in filling a magazine of a height that would contain the proper amount of bobbins. it would be next to impossible to observe it all the bobbins are laying in proper position to be separated while in the act of donning,-

so I have provided a separable hopper so that operator will observe at once it the bohbins are properly placed, so whcn the lowcr sections are filled, it is only necessary to put on the next section and till that in turn.

The invention in the preferred form of details is shown in the accompairving drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a. perspective view. illustrating the combined unit showing the doli'cr mechanism and donning mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the some, partly in section, the unit being shown positioned with respect to the spinning frame and the donning mechanism in initial operative position in full lines and in completely operative position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a similar view. the donnii'ig mechanism being omitted, and the doller mechanism being shown in initially operative position in full lines and in completely operative positions in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the doti'er mechanism in position immediately l'ollowing the doiiing operation.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of thc dollcr mechanism detached.

Fig. (i is a broken perspective oi a port ion of the dotier mechanism. showing particularly the gripper and spindle gage.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view oi. the same illustrating particularly the means for actuating the grippers.

Fig. 8 a perspective view showing the thread stripper of the dolling mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a detail view in elevation showing particularly the means for autonuitically opening the grippers in the initial operative movement of the doli'cr mechanism.

Fig. l0 is a broken longitudinal sectional vicw through the magazine and cradlc oi the donning mechanism.

Fig. 11. a broken pcrspcctivc view oi the cradle.

Fig. 115 is a broken longitudinal sectional view ol the magazine showing the operation of the gate.

Fig. 123 is a perspective view of the cradle with parts omitted. showing the cradle n initially operative position.

Fig. 14- is a broken perspective ol' the magazine and cradle, the latter being shown in bobbin receiving relation to the magazinc.

Fig. 15 is a broken perspective of thc gatc for controlling the delivery of empty holibins from the magazine to the cradle.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the manually operable means for moving th" cradle vertically with respect to the magazinc.

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view through the donning mc -hanism, the upper portion of themagazine being shown tlH'ln'il back in dotted outline.

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view showing Inn the cradle positioned to deliver an empty bobbin onto the spindle.

Fig. 19 is a similar View illustrating the means for operating the end gate of the bobbin receivers to release the bobbins for endwise movement onto the spindles.

Fig. 20 is a broken end elevation illustrat ing particularly the means for elevating the cradle with respect to the magazine and the frictional means for retarding the movement of such elevated means.

Fig. 21 isa plan showing the arrangement of the truck wheels, whereby the dotting and donning unit is maintained in contact with the guide bar of the spinning frame in the movement of the unit longitudinally of said frame.

Fig. 22, shows a modified form of thread guard on which are a series of shears of cutters to cause the severing of threads simultaneously.

The combined dofiing and donning mechanism of this invention is here shown as comprising a completely portable and wholly independent unit in truck form, made up to include a base 1, supported on truck wheels 2, from which base rise skeleton end frames 3. The and frames on the side next the spinning machine when the apparatus is in operative position, hereinafter termed the front of the apparatus, are forwardly olfset at the lower ends to provide guidebars 4, which are adapted in the use of the apparatus to contact with the longitudinal guide bar 5, which is a fixed usual part of the spinning machine.

It 1s to be understood that the apparatus here described is intended to simultaneously doif a number of filled bobbins, for example, sixteen, and then to don a similar number of empty bobbins on the spindles from which the filled bobbins have been removed. Thus, in the use of the apparatus. it will be moved lengthwise the front of the spinning machine for cooperation with successive sets of bobbins,and in order to insure that the apparatus will maintain its relation with the guide bar 5 of the spinning.

machine, without particular guiding attention on the part of the operator, the true i wheels2 are set at a slight angle, so that in the forward movement of the apparatus. it is continuallyguided toward the bar 5. Thus without attention on the part of the operator, the apparatus will be properly held in relation to the spinning machine.

The dofling mechanism is arranged between the end frames 3 and includes a doiiing frame, comprising'a main frame bar 6 having castings 7, secured to the respective ends thereof. Bars 8 depend from the castings and are pivotally connected at their lower ends at- 9, to one end of links 10, the opposite ends of which links are pivotally connected at 11 to the rear uprights of the end frames 3. A gripper operating shaft 12 is rotatively supported in thecastings 7 in rear of the main frame bar, this shaft im mediately beyond thecastings having hearing sleeves 13 arranged to cooperate with positioning guides on the end frames 3. These guides are formed by integral sections of the skeleton end frames and include uprights 14, which depend from the upper ends of the frames and at an appropriate point have rcarwardly inclined guiding portions 15, below which the uprights present vertical guiding edges 16. rising from the cross bar in each end frame, extend in spaced parallel relation to the vertical guiding edges 16, thereby providing longitudinally extending guiding recesses 18, in which the bearing sleeves 13 arenormally positioned. Obviously, as the frame of the dofiing mechanism is moved upwardly, the main frame bar 6 will rise vertically for a distance corresponding to the length of the guiding recesses 18, and will then be moved forwardly toward the spinning machine through cooperation with the inclined guiding portionsv 15. The dotting mechanism as a whole, is elevated and lowered through a shaft 19, mounted in the rear upright-s of the end frames and operated through a cranlg handle 20 on one end thereof. Straps 21. are secured to and adapted to be wound around the shaft 19,-these straps being terminally connected through adjustable connectors 22 with the bars 8 of the dofi'er mechanism above the connection of said bars with the links 10. The weight of the dotting mechanism is counteracted through ayfrictional retarding means cooperating with the shaft 19 and involving a strap 23 secured at one terminal to a projection of one end frame 3, said strap passing over a pulley 24: on the shaft 19, the terminal of the strap being connected to the end frame by a spring 25. The tension of the, spring, which of course is to be adjustable, causes the strap to frictionally hold the shaft 19 against turning, and hence the dofl'er mechanism'will remain in elevated position without specific holding means therefor.

The grippers for directly engaging the filled bobbins are carried by the frame bar 6, and are of course of a number corresponding to the number of bobbins to be simultaneously handled. The grippers each comprise a fixed section 26 and a movable section 27, each of arcuate form and each formed on their relatively inner surfaces with what may be termed corrugations 28. to effectively grip the material on the bobbin. These corrugations are peculiarly arranged in that they are at such an angle to the horizontal to avoid the possibility of coincidence with the lines of thread on the bobbin, for if the corrugations were in line with the turns Short uprights 17 a ill) of the thread on the bobbin, there would probably result an interlocking of the different thread layers on the bobbin, so that the thread would not pull off without breaking. The fixed section of each gripper is removably secured upon the ends of rodp 2t) projecting forwardly from the frame bar ti, the movable gripper section 27 being slidably mounted on these rods.

It is particularly important in a dotling machine simultaneously harulling a plurality of filled bobbins that each and every gripper be adapted to as readily ccmperate with a thin bobbin as with a normally tilled bobbin, and for this reason, the means for closing the grippers must be capable for automatically compensating for any variation in the usual fullness of the bobbins. This consideration has been provided for in the gripper operating means here illustrated. which means consists in a spring rod 30 secured at one end to the movable section 27 of the gripper and dmvnwardly curved therefrom beneath and in rear of the frame bar 6 to atlord the desired resiliency. The rear end of each operating rod is connected to an actuator 31 in the form of a block ren'lovably secured upon the gripper operating shaft 12 rotatively mounted in the castings 7 of the dotfer frame, and having acrank handle 33 for operating such shaft. As the shaft is turned in one direction, the movable sections 97 of the grippers are forced toward the fixed sections 26 to grip the interposed tilled bobbins, the movement of the shaft being continued to a limit position indicated by stops 34, in which position the actuators 31 have passed their centers of movement in line between the shaft 12 and grippers, thereby closing the grippers with a. variable spring tension necessary to compensate for differently tilled bobbins, and at; the same time utilizing this spring pressure to hold the cam actuators in position to maintain the grippers closed until the shaft 12 is actuated in the reversed direction by means of the handle 33.

It may be here stated that the tilled bobbins after dotting are to be held in the grippers in a predetermined relation to the spindles from which they are removed until the donning mechanism has been actuated, and after empty bobbins have been placed on said spindles, the apparatus as a whole is moved lengthwise the spinning machine to a new position, and the dotting mechanism then actuated for initial movement to effect a dotting. It is desired that the bobbins in the dotiing mechanism be retained in the grippers until the dofling mechanism is initially actuated for a succeeding dotiing movement. the gripper held bobbins being automatically released in this initial movement of the dotling mechanism. This automatic release is affected through a trip dog 35 con- 'tion, which would nectcd with the main frame at 36, and normally held in operative position by a spring :37. The end of the gripper shaft 12 is provided with a crank pin 38, which as the dofi'er frame rises. is engaged by the. hook end of the trip dog. and the shaft 12 turned sulliciently to move the actuators 31 below ceutcr, whereupon the spring rods 30 complete the movement of the actuators and thereby open the grippers through operation of the movable section 27. The released bobbins fall into a receptacle which may be positioned on the base 1.

It is important that during the movement of the dotting mechanism to place the grippers into cooperation with the filled spindles, the supply thread be drawn upon to provide the necessary slack for the dotting movement; of the bobbins, and that at the same time this supply thread be moved to position which will absolutely prevent it from being engaged by the grippers. For the purpose of controlling the supply thread in this particular, there is secured l'ietiween each, or certain pairs of grippers, depending guide strips 39 to which are secured flexible connectors as chains 40, supporting at their lower ends a stripper rod 41. This rod moves lengthwise the filled bobbins in advance of the grippers and guards the supply thread, and at the same time moves the supply thread to a position below the possible reach of the grippers. The chains permit a certain flexibility of positioning in the stripper guard, while the strips 39 steadies the guard.

The donning mechanism, by means of which empty bobbins are placed upon the spindles from which the filled bobbins have been removed by the dolling mechanism, includes a. magazine in which the empty bobbins are loaded, and means for delivering a predetermined number of such empty bobbins to the spindles. The magazine comprises a receptacle 42 secured upon the upper end of the end frames 3 and divided into upper and lower sections 43 and M hingedly connected together at 45. The receptacle as a whole, that is, both upper and lower sections, are divided by partitions 46, to provide a series of bobbin receiving compartments 47. As at present contemplated, the magazine is of a, size to receive a sullicient number of empty bobbins to take care of a number of succcsssive operations of the apparatus, as for example, the magazine will contain sixteen compartments, each holding, eight bobbins, thereby providing one hundred and twenty-eight empty bobbins, which are sutlicient for one side of the spinning machine. If in placing these empty bobbins, one should be dropped in angle posiprevent its proper delivery, such angle bobbin could be easily reached by swinging back the upper half of the re ceptacle, thus saving time and labor of removing all superimposed bobbins in a. particular compartment or compartments in the lower section.

The tiller as well as the warp bobbins may be dolled, all that is necessary is to substitute a magazine having its compartments :1 little different shape, or a removable. magazine may be used for the use of small mills so that when it is necessary to dot? the dilierent style of bobbins, all that is necessary is to change the magazine as the magazines are only held on by clamping screws, not shown.

Although the dotler is shown in use with the ring spinning "frame, a fly spinning trame can be also handled by very little change and by the addition of a fly lifting device which is adapted to lift the fliers oil' of the spools so that the grippers can remove the filled spools and don the empties, and then replace the fliers. For this purpose I provide the combinationthread cutter and thread guard.

A separator 4-8 is slidably mounted at the bottom of the magazine and operated through a handle 49, the gate having apertures therein, which when arranged in line with the compartments oi" the magazine permits the discharge through the gate of a bobbin from each compartment.

The empty bobbins are carried from the magazine to a. donning relation with the spindles by a cradle 51, including longitudinal frame bars 52, on which are mounted a series of trough-like bobbin receivers 53. Transverse cradle frame bars 54 have their forward ends turned upwardly to provide sections 55 which are fixedly connected to a supporting bar 56, which is slidably mounted in guideways 57, secured to the front of the machine. The angular relation of the sections 55 and their length is such that when permitted to move, thecradle as a whole will swing downwardly and forward y P ing the receivers at an angle to the vertical, as illustrated in full lines in F ig. 2.

In the donning operation, it is necessary that the receivers as a whole with the cont ained bobbins be elevated and lowered for the dotting operation, and this movement is accomplished through a shaft 58 rot-atively mounted on the forward wall of the magazine and connected by straps 59, adapted to be wound about the shaft 58, with the ends of the supporting bar 56. The shaft 58 is manually operated through a handle 60, and

frictionally restrained against free movement. by a frictional retarder 61, similar to that described in connection with the control of the doiler mechanism shaft- 19.

As the cradle swings to a lowered position,

means mustbe provided for preventing endwise movement of the empty bobbins until the receivers are accurately positioned with relation to the empty spindles. This means comprises an end gate for all of the receivers in the form of a flatstrip 62 hinged at 63 to a. cradle frame bar 52. The gate overlies the discharge ends of the receivers 53 and is formed in its free edge with a notch 64 of a size and shape to cooperate with the upper end of the empty spindle and thus accurately align the particular receiver therewith. Additional gage bars 65 with spindle engaging notches 66 are secured to the end gate and arranged beyond the same to afiord additional and initial gagingmeans. The end gate and gage bars 65 are operated at will to remove them from normal relation to the receivers and thus permit discharge of the bobbins contained in the receivers by a rod .67 connected to an ear projecting from the end gate and arranged between two receivers near one end of the cradle. The rod is slidably mounted upon a guide 68 secured upon the cradle frame bars 52 and is normally held in position to maintainthe gate closed by a spring 69. The rod 67 has a handle 70 through which the rod may be operated to swing the gate to a discharge position, a thumb piece 71 being secured in position to facilitate operation of the rod operator.

The cradle is normally held in close relation to the bottom of the magazine spring pressed latch end engaged beneath a projection 73 on the cradle, the latch'bar being preferably arranged on the'rcar side of the magazine and operated through a handle 7 4 and intervening connection 7 5 on the front of the magazine.

As the cradle following its release by proper movement of the latch bar swings to a lowered position, means must be provided for preventing accidental displacement of the empty bobbins from the receivers, and this means must be arranged to be out of the way of the bobbins in their delivery from the magazine to the receivers. To secure this result, there is mounted upon the cradle frame a guide structure 7 6 involving upper and lower bars 77 and 78, the upper bars terminating at about mid-length the receivers, the guide thus provided having end walls or stops 79 at the ends of the upper bars 77.. The guide structures are arrange with the lower bars 78 in line with the upper edges of the receivers, and a bar 80 is freely slidable in these guide structures, which bar is of a length to overlie all of the receivers. As the cradle drops to lowered position, the bar 80 gravitates in the guide structures and'thus provides an obstruction to the escape of the bobbins in the receivers. As the cradle is returned to a normal receiving posit-ion with respect to the magazine, the pivotally supported end thereof is on a plane slightly lower than the tree or by the fingers of the by a bar 72 having its hook latch engaging end. Hence the bar 80 will, in this position of the cradle, gravitate to the opposite end of the guide structures, thus entirely clearing each receiver to freely admit the empty bobbin.

In operation, the improved unit, which as previously stated, is completely portable and wholly independent at all times and in all conditions of operation from the spinning machine, is moved along side of the spinning frame, so that the guide bars l of the unit frame engage the guide bar 5 of the spinning machine frame. The handle 20 is then op erated to turn shaft 19 which moves the dolfer mechanism upwardly and forwardly through the guides 14- and 15, in which position the grippers are on a plane above the filled bobbins. The dofiing frame is then swung forwardly by hand until the grippers are in line with the bobbins, wlmreupon by reverse operation of the handle 20, the grippers are lowered over the bobbins until gages 81 bear upon the upper ends of the spindles The shaft 152 is then operated to close the grippers upon the filled bobbins as, it being understood that the guard 11:1 has acted upon the supply thread as previously described. The dolfer frame is then elevated by suitable operation of a handle 20, and when the filled bobbins have been removed from and are clear of the spindles, the doffer frame owing to its pivotal connection will drop back against the guide portion ll of the end frame. This return of the dofl'er frame to normal position with the filled bobbins in the grippers is substantially automatic, in that it requires no attention on the part of the operator, and the movement is retarded downwardly by the frictional retarder 23, so that the speed is sufiicient to draw the supply thread from the spindle as the bobbins are moved therefrom without breaking such thread, or without interfering with the turns of the thread about the spindle below the filled bobbin. This automatic return of the dofi'er frame permits the operator during such movement to proceed with the donning operation, thus saving an appreciable amount of time in the complete operation of the unit. In the donning oporation, the separator 48 is first operated to delivc' an empty bobbin to each of the receivers whereupon the handle Tl is operated to release the latch and the cradle as a whole swings to a position below the magazine. The handle 60 is then operated to turn shaft 58 and through straps 5t) draw the bar 56 and therefore the cradle into a position to dispose the lower ends of the receivers above the plane of the spindles 82. The cradle as a whole is then swung outwardly and lowered through operation of shaft 58 until the notches 64 in the end gate and the notches 66 in the gage bars engage the spindle and thus center the receiver.

The end gate 62 is then operated through movement of the rod 67, and the contained empty bobbins are delivered onto the spindle. The cradle is then elevated from the spindles and manually moved to closed position, the latch 72 automatically engaging with the projection 73 to hold the cradle in this closed or receiving position. The filled bobbins which have been removed are still connected through the supply thread with the spindles, and as the empty bobbins are delivered onto the spindles, the supply thread is thus held, through the engagement of the bobbin with the coils of such thread about the spindles, and as the unit is moved forwardly for cooperation with the next set of bobbins to be dotted, the threads between the dotted bobbins and spindles are broken. In the movement of the dotl'er mechanism to cooperate with the next set of filled bobbins, the grippers are automatically open through the mechanism described, including the trip dog 35, and the bobbins previously held in the grippers are released and permitted to fall into a convenient receiving receptacle.

In the advance movement of the unit, the mounting of the truck wheels, 2 previously described, insures that the desired contacting cooperation of the guide bars 4; and 5 will be maintained, so that the operator has only to move the unit forward to the new position, without the necessity of guiding the same during such movement.

The unit as a whole is independent of the spinning machine and absolutely without any fixed or removable connection therewith at any time. This avoids any additional parts on the spinning machine, which are objectionable as not only adding to the expense of installation but in providing unnecessary parts which tend to imperfect thread, through accumulation of dirt and lint, and further, the unit being wholly independent may be used with a plurality of spinning frames, may be wholly removed when not in use, and is operatively complete in itself.

The dofi'er mechanism and donning mechanism conveniently handle a plurality of bobbins, filled and empty, at each operation of such mechanism, so that the operator may doll and don a considerable number of spindles at each operation of the unit. This of course tends to a more speedy operation than is possible by the most expert hand work, and the operative parts of the (letter mechanism and the donning mechanism are such and are so related that there is even less liability to imperfect results than in hand operation.

In the act of dotting, it may sometime occur that the floor supporting the duller is uneven, so that the coaeting guides l and 5 may not function properly so that the grippers may be thrown out of true par- Ill Located allelism with the spindles to be dofied, to prevent undue strain coming on the spindles and sothat the grippers may recompense themselves, I have provided the structure shown in the drawings; by the said structure allowance is made so that it the grippers on one end should be out even three quarters of an inch out of true, the parts would spring easily so that there would be no undue strain on the spindles whatsoever; the parts 8 and 10 and the spaces between the frames allows the gripper support 7 to have this variation.

Claims:

1. A combined dofling and donning apparatus, including a completely portable unit arranged for guiding contact with the spinning machine and capable of free movement toward and from the spinning ma chine at any point of such guiding contact,

dofl'er mechanism carried by said unit, and donning mechanism carried by said unit.

2. A combined dofiing and donning apparatus, including a completely port-able unit arranged for guiding contact with the spinning machine and capable of tree movement toward and from the spinning machine at any point of such guiding contact, dofl'er mechanism carried by said unit, and donning mechanism carried by said unit said unit having means adapted to contact with a fixed part of the spinning machine to thereby position the unit for the doiiing and donning operation.

3. A combined dofling and donning apparatus, including a completely portable unit arranged for guiding contact with the spinning machine and capable of free movement toward and from the spinning machine at any point of such guiding contact, dofi'er mechanism to simultaneously doti a plurality of bobbins carried by said unit, and donning mechanism to simultaneously don a plurality of empty bobbins carried by the unit. 7 H

4. A combined dofiing and donning apparatus, including a completely portable unit arranged for guiding contact with the spinning machine and capable of free movement toward and from the spinning machine at any point of such guiding contact, said unit being adapted to be positioned in contact with a fixed portion ofthe machine for operation, means arranged wholly on the unit for maintaining said contact in the advance of the unit from one operative position to the next, dotfer mechanism carried by the unit and adapted to simultaneously dofi a plurality of filled bobbins, and donning mechanism carried by the unit and adapted to simultaneouly don 'a plurality of empty bobbins.

5. A combined dotting and donning apparatus including a wholly portable independent unit, adapted spinning machine and capable of treemovement toward andfrom such machine at any point of such guiding contact, said unit being movable lengthwise the machine for cooperation with successive sets of spindles, dofi'er mechanism carried by the unit for dolling a plurality of filled bobbins, and donning mechanism carried by the unit for donning a plurality of empty bobbins, the doii'er mechanism acting on the supply thread to each bobbin to permit said bobbin to be completely dofied and supported within the unit without severing said supply thread.

7. A combined dotting and donning apparatus, including a completely portable unit adapted for guiding contact with the spin ning machine and capable of free movement toward and from such machine at any point of such guiding contact, said unit being movable lengthwise the machine for COOPBYH tion with successive sets of spindles, dofier mechanism carried by the unit for dotting a plurality of filled bobbins, and donning mechanism carried by the unit for donning a plurality of empty bobbins, the doifer mechanism acting on the supply thread to each bobbin to permit said bobbin to be completely dotied and supported within the unit without severing said supply thread, the donning mechanism being actuated to apply the empty bobbins to the spindles prior to the severance of the supply threads between the spindles and dotted bobbins.

8. A multiple dofi'er, including a dofiing mechanism, a truck on which said mechanism is mounted, means on the truck to raise the dotting mechanism vertically and means to move the clotting mechanism horizontally during such vertical movement, and bobbin gripping means carried by the dotting mechanism.

9. A portable wholly independent. dofiing mechanism, guiding means carried thereby to cooperate with a fixed guide on the spinning machine, and means supporting said mechanism and permitting movement thereof longitudinally of the spinning machine, said means continually forcing the said dotiing mechanism in a direction toward the spinning machine in the forward movement of such mechanism.

10. In a doller, a platform, dotting meelr anism supported thereby, means on the plat form to contactwith a tixed part of the spinning machine in positioning the doller for operation, trucl; \vheels supporting the platform and normally actin at an angle to a direct line movement ot the platt'orm. to thereby force the plattorm toward the spinning machine in the movement of the plat form longitlulinally of the machine.

1.1.In a dotter, a wheel truck, dotting mechanism carried thereby, said trueh being adapted to be moved longitlulinally ol. the spinning machine in guiding contact with a tixed part ol' such machin the wheels oi the truck tending to maintain the ontact between said truck and spinning machine in the movement of the truck longitudinally of the machine and serving as the sole. means for maintaining cooperative relation between the dotter and spinning machine.

.12. In a dotting mechanism, bobbin removers, means for raising said removers vertically, means for moving the bobbin removers horizontally during such vertical movement, and means operative in a predetermined movement ot the bobbin removers to etl'ect the cooperation ol' said removers with the bobbins.

l3. In a dotting mechanism. a t'rame \vorlc formed with guiden'ays for compelling simultaneous vertical and horizontal movement of said mechanism, bobbin gripping means forming part of said mechanism and controlled in movement by said guideways. and means to open the grippers following a pretletermined movement of the 'dolliug mechanism in said guideways.

It. .In a dotting mechanism. a frame work termed with guide ays tor said mechanism. bobbin gripping means forming part of said mechanism and controlled in movement by said guideways. and means to open the grippers follmving a predetermined movement of the dotting mechanism in said guidenavs. said guide "ays being 'lormed to compel an initial vertical and subsequent combined vertical and horizontal movements of the dotiing mechanism.

1:). In a dotting mechanism. bobbin re moving n'ieans. inc-hiding grippers. means to:- raising the bobbin removing m ans and causing the grippers to follow a predet rmined path of travel. means to operate th grill a-rs to engage the bobbin the sa d raising means being then operable to lift the :fripped bobbins from the spindles and also adapted to exert; a lateral puil on th dotiing mechanism to cause said nn-ehanism with the dotted bobbins to move laterally and free oi the spindles.

16. In a dotting mechanism, bobbin grippers, means for positioning said grippers,

and means for acting upon the supply threads of the filled bobbins in advance of" and during the positioning of the grippers.

.17. In a dotting mechanism, bobbin grippers, means tor positioning said grippers, and means for acting upon the supply threads of the tilled bobbins in advance of and during the positioning of the grippers, and means for elevating the grippers and tilled bobbins from the spindles.

18. In a dotting mechanism, bobbin grippers. means for positioning said grippers, supply thread engaging means movable with the grippers and acting upon the supply thread in advance of the grippers, means lor operating the grippers to engage the tilted bobbins. and means For elevating said grip pers and supply thread engaging means to a position above the spindles.

It). In a dotting mechanism, gripping means for renmving a bobbin from a spinuing frame spindle. means for raising the gripping means, manually operable means tor moving the grippers toward the spudle. said grippers being mounted tor automatic movement;- from the. spindles, said automatic movement of the gripping means being controlled to prevent breaking the supply thread between the dotted bobbin and the pindle.

20. In a dotting mechanism, gripping means for removing a, bobbin from a spinning frame spindle, means for raising the gripping means, manually operable means for moving the grippers toward the spindle. said grippers being mounted 'l'or antomatie movement from the spindles, said automatic movement of the gripping means being controlled to prevent luv-taking the supply thread between the dotted bobbin and the spindle, guideways for controlling the move ment of the grippers under said manually operable. means, and a gripping means trip for operating the gripping means, said trip being arranged in the path of movement. of said grippers in said guideways.

21,. In a dotiing mechanism, bobbin grippers, means for manually raising said grippers, means for guiding and limiting movement in one direction of the grippers during said raising movement, said guiding means inducing a combined vertical and horizontal movement of the grippers, said manual means comprising a shaft, a handle theretor, flexible members connected to said shaft and to said grippers, said flexible members being adapted to he wound about the shaft in. the raising of the grippers.

22. in a dolling meclumism. a bobbin gripper made up of relatively movable sections, each section being formed on its inner surlaee with corrugations at such an angle as to avoid alignment with the threads on the bobbin in the gripping thereof.

23. In a dotting mechanism, a gripper operating the end gate torelcase having a bobbin engaging surface formed with corrugations biased in relation to the turns of the thread on the bobbin.

2%. In. a dofiing mechanism, means for raising and lowering the same, said mechanism including a bar, a plurality of bobbin grippers carried by the bar, engaging means carriedby the bar to limit the vertical position of the grippers on the filled bobbins without regard to the heightof the dotting mechanism.

In a do'liing mechanism, grippers, a frame supporting said grippers, an empty bobbin magazine mounted on the frame above the grippers, a cradle having means to receive and position a predetermined munmeans for PlVOtallY ber of empty bobbins, and movably supporting said cradle, an end gate for holding the empty bobbins'from endwise movement in the cradle, means for the bobbins, and independent means for holding the bobbins in the cradle during the movement of the cradle.

26. In a dotiing mechanism, grippers, a an empty bobbin magazine mounted on the frame above the grippers, a cradle having means to receive and position apredetermined number of empty bobbins, means for pivotally,

and movably supporting said cradle, and an mounted below the magazine end gatefor holding the empty bobbins from endwise movement in the cradle, said end ate having gage notches to cooperate with the ends of the spindlcsito locate the cradle relative thereto.

27. The combination with a frame, donning mechanism supported on the frame, including a magazine, a cradle pivot-ally supported with respect to the magazine and including a plurality of bobbin receivers, and a doifer mechanism mounted in said frame for vertical and horizontal movements, said cradle when in receiving relation to the magazine providing means within the frame for the operation of the doii'er mechanism.

28. In a donning mechanism, a magazine havin'g compartments to receive empty bobbins, a gate slidably mounted in the magazinc and having bobbin receiving compartments, said gate being operable in one direction to receive bobbins from the magazine and in the other direction to discharge said bobbins below the magazine, and a cradle to receive said bobbins and maintain them in spaced relation.

29. In a donning mechanism, a magazine having compartments to receive empty bobbins, a gate slidably mounted in the maga= zine and having bobbin receiving compartments, said gate being operable in one direction to receive bobbins from the magazine and in the other direction to discharge said bobbins below the magazine, and a cradle mounted below the magazine toreceive said bobbins and inaintaln them in spaced relation, and meansfor holding the bobbins against displacement from the eradle in the movement of the cradle relative to the magazine.

In a donning mechanism, a magazine having compartments to receive empty bob bins, a gate slidably mounted in the magazine and having bobbinreceiving compartments, said gate being operable in one direc tion to receive bobbins from the magazine and in the other direction to discharge said bobbins below the magazine, and a cradle mounted below the magazine to receive said bobbins and maintain them in spaced relation, and means for holding the bobbins against displacement from the cradle-in the movement of the cradle relative to the magazine, said means being wholly inoperative when the cradle is in bobbin receiving relation to the magazine. i

31. In a dofler mechanism, a frame including a main bar, a plurality of bobbin grippers carried thereby, eachof said grippers comprising independent sections, manually operable means for causing relative movement of the sections for a gripping action, manually operable means for-elevating the frame to arrange the grippers in a plane above the spindles to be dotted,

and means for automaticallyopening the grippers during such raising movement of the frame.

p In a donning mechanism, a magazine formed to provide empty bobbin compartments, a cradle mounted for swinging movement below the magazine, said cradle including a plurality of bobbin receivers, an end gate closing the receivers against endwise movement of the bobbins during the swinging movement of the cradle, and means for moving the cradle vertically with respect to the magazine.

32 In a. donning'mechanism, a magazine formed to provide empty bobbin compart ments, a cradle mounted "for swinging movement below the magazine, said cradle including a. plurality of bobbin receivers, an endgate closing the receivers against endwise movement oi the bobbins during the swinging movement of the cradle, and means for moving the cradle vertically with respect to the magazine, and frictional retarding means for such vertical cradle move ment.

34. In a formed to provide emptybobbin compartments, a cradle mounted for swinging movement below the magazine, said cradle including a plurality ofbobbin receivers, an end gate closing .the receivers against endwisemovement of thebobbins during the swinging movement of the cradle, manually donning mechanism, a magazine operable means for moving the end gate from receiver closing position, and means for moving the cradle vertically with respect to the magazine.

la a donning mechanism, a magazine formed to provide empty bobbin compartments, a cradle mounted for swinging movement below the magazine, said cradle including a plurality of bobbin receivers, an end gate closing the receivers against endwise movement of the bobbins during the swinging movement of the cradle, said end gate being formed with spindle engaging means serving to gage the position of the receivers with respect to the spindles, and manually operable means to move the end gate from receiver closing position.

In a donning mechanism, an empty boliiljiin magazine, a cradle to transfer the empty bobbins from the magazine to the spindles of the spinning machine, and a spindle holding element automatically operatcd in the movement of the cradle 'iI'Ull'l the magazine toward the spindles.

37. in a donning mechanism, an empty bobbin magazine, a. cradle to transfer the en'ipty bobbins from the magazine to the spindles of the spinning machine, and a spindle holding element automatically operated in the movement of the cradle from the magazine toward the spindles, said spindle holding element being automatically mov able to an inoperative position in the move ment of the cradle into normal cooperation with the magazine.

38. In a donning mechanism, an empty bobbin magazine formed with bobbin com- .iartments, and a cradle to carry the empty bobbins from the magazine toward the spindles of the spinning machine, said magazine being constructed in inde 'iendent hingedly connected upper and lower sections dividing the compartments longitudinally.

3!). In av donning mechanism, a magazine, a cradle for carrying empty bobbins from the magazine toward the spindles oi the spinning machine, said cradle including a plurality of single bobbin receivers, an end gate simultaneously closing the ends of all of said receivers, and a locking bar cooperating with all ol said receivers in the movement of the cradle from the magazine to hold the bobbins against displacement from the receivers.

4.0. In a donning mechanism, a magazine, a cradle for carrying empty bobbins from the magazine toward the spindles of the spinning machine, a series of single bobbin receivers mounted on the cradle, and means carried by the cradle to cooperate with the spindles of the spinning machine to align the respective receivers with said spindles.

4-1. In a donning mechanism, a magazine,

a cradle for carrying empty bobbins from the magazine to the spindles of the spinning machine, a plurality of single bobbin rcceivers arranged on the cradle, and means cooperating with the magazine and adapted in operation to simultaneously deliver :1 bobbin to each receiver from the magazine.

In a donning mechanism, a multiple con'ipartmcnt magazine, a cradle arranged for swinging movement with respect to the magazine, a series of bobbin receivers carried by the cradle, and means for adjusting the cradle to arrange the receivers in bobbin delivering relation to the respective spindlcs of a spinning machine.

43. In a donning mechanism, a magazine, a cradle having means to receive and support a plurality of independent bobbins, means to deliver bobbins from said magazine to said cradle, and means tor operating said cradle to dispose the same in bobbin discharging rclation to a plurality of spinning-tram: spindles.

+1. in a donning mechanism, a magazine, a cradle adapted to receive empty bobbins from the magazine and having means to support a plurality of bobbins, said cradle being mounted for movement from the magazine toward the spinning-frame spindles, and means for holding the bobbins in said cradle during such movement, said hold ing means becoming autoniatically operative through movement of the cradle.

45. A doll'er mechanism including bobbin grippers, means for n'ioving said mechanism to arrange said grippers in alignment with the filled bobbins on the spindles, and means for manually operating said grippers to engage said bobbins, said meains including a spring bowed member for each gripper, to permit automatic compensation of each grippcr without regard to the others.

4-6. A doller mechanism including grippers, each having a fixed section and a movable scction, a spring rod connected to the movable section, and means for simultaneously exerting endwise picssuro on all of said rods, said rods being bowed to permit individual compensating movement.

47. A doil'er mechanism including spring operated grippers, a bar for supporting all of said grippers, means for moving the bar through a. predetermined path of travel, and means for automatically opening the grippers during the initial movement of such bar.

48. A dotlcr mechanism including a frame, means for manually operating said tramc. a series of grippers carried by the frame. a shaft mounted in the frame, cams carried by the shaft, and spring rods between said cams and grippers, whereby said shat't may be operated to open and close the gl'lpPQl'S.

4!). A dotl'er mechanism illClUdiIl" a frame, means for manually operating sai frame, a

series of grippers carried by the frame, a shaft mounted in said frame, spring means operated in the movement of said shaft to open. and close said'grippers, and means for automatically operating said shaft in the operation of said frame.

50. In a dofier mechanism, a truck frame, a dofi'er frame movable in the truck frame,

grippers carried by the dofi'er frame, means for manually and guides formed in the truck operating said dofii'er frame, frame to compel a combined vertical and lateral movement of said dofi'er frame.

51. A donning mechanism, comprising a magazine, a cradle mounted for swinging movement with respect to the magazine, a series of bobbin receivers mounted on the cradle, and manually operable means for moving the cradle as a whole vertically with respect to the magazine.

52. A donning magazine including a cradle mounted for swinging movement, a series of trough-like bobbin receiv rs carried by said cradle, and a locking bar movable as a unit over said receivers during the swinging movement of the cradle said. looking bar having a limit position intermediate the lengths of the receivers to thereby retain the bobbins in place.

53. In a doffer for spinning or like machine, a gripper bar having means adapted to grip more than one bobbin, means for operating both ends of the gripper bar simultaneously, either end of the bar being capable of independently flexing towards and from the spindles of the machine for the purpose set forth.

54. In a dofi'er, in a frame for supporting mechanism for raising and lowering two or more grippers, means for operating grippers, supports on each end to raise and lower grippers, a spinning frame, two or more spindles supporting filled bobbins, mechanism for allowing grippers to approach the filled bobbins in a slightly different line, meansto cause the grippers to grip the filled bobbins,'the said gripping position of the grippers causing the grip ping bar to right itself without putting undue strain on the said spindles, and means for removing the filled bobbins from the spindles 55. In a donning mechanism, a magazine, means for delivering a plurality of empty bobbins from the magazine to the spindles of a spinning machine, and means for holding the bobbins in said delivery means against displacement therefrom during the transfer, said holding means being released by contact with the bobbin spindles.

In a donning mechanism, a magazine, means for transferring empty bobbins from ring means for gravital movement to a position below the magazine, and manually operable means for thereafter positioning the transferring means into alignment with and above the spindles of the bobbins.

57. A dolfer mechanism including grippers made up of relatively movable parts, a spring member connected to one of said arts and serving to move said part relative to the other under compensating tension, and means for moving the s ring member for opening the grippers fol owing a pre determined movement of the dofier mechanism.

58. A dolfer, a frame, multiple gripper elements movably mounted on the frame, mechanism for raising and lowering the gripper elements vertically of the frame, and means acting automatically to prevent causal raising or lowering of the gripper elements following the cessation of power actuation of said mechanism, said means yielding to the power actuation of said mechanism.

59. In a donning apparatus, a magazine to receive filled bobbins for the donning operation, and means whereby the bobbins may be delivered from the magazine, said magazine being made up of a series of superimposed movably connected sections each formed with partitions to provide, when the sections are in superimposed relation, a series of similar shaped bobbin receiving con'ipartments, the upper section being movable relative to the lower section to permit independent access to the compartments of the lower section to directly reach the bobbins in such lower section in the event such bobbins assume an'incorrect position.

60. A doffer, a frame, multiple gripper elements movably mounted on the frame, mechanism for raising and lowering the ind frictional means automatically acting on the cessation of power actuationof said mechanism to hold the gripper elements against casual raising or lowering, said frictional means yielding to the power actuation of said mechanism.

61. In a dolier, a movable frame, a plurality of gripping mechanisms carried thereby, gripper mechanism actuating means, and flexible connections between said actuating means and each gripper mechanism, said actuating means serving in the movement past the operative center to lock the gripper mechanism through the flexible con ripper elements vertically of the frame,

operates with the pull bobbin.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

HENRY C. MILLER. 

